Extractor device for pipe cleaners



July 8, 1952 c. w. HEWITT EXTRACTOR DEVICE FOR PIPE CLEANERS Filed Feb. '4, 1949 In venior 1 Attorney device. The degree of divergence or Patented July 8, 1952 I V i2,c02,454 EXTRACTOR DEVICE FoRjriPE oLEANEns Charles Wilfred Hewitt, Heswall," England Application February 4, 1949, serial No. 74,569

In Great Britain December 20, 1948 This invention relates to a device for use in cleaning tobacco pipes and more particularly for use in connection with the removal, by pulling it through the bowl, of an ordinaryg wirewool pipe cleaner inserted through the mouth- 1 piece'for the purpose of cleaning a tobacco pipe. It is an objectxof the invention to provide an effective rigid device for the purpose described which can be made from wire, the cost in relation to the cost of a cleaner being so small that it is commercially practicable to discard the extractor device with the fouled cleaner.

I have found that an extractor device of the type above described can be made from a length of substantially rigid wire double cranked at one end to form a substantially V-shaped hook I in the longitudinal plane of the main stem of wire, the 'outer arm, that is, the arm remote from the Stem of wire, extending beyond the inner arm in the direction of the length of the arm. It is essential for the device tofunction that certain dimensions fall within; critical ranges. Thus the wire should be of a thickness, in the case of wire of circular cross-section, equivalent to at least'0.032 inch,-the angle between the arms or limbs of the V-shaped hook should be within the range '7 to 20? and the inner radius of: curvature at, the elbow between the two armsshould be less than 0.032 inch.

Preferably the end of the wire stem remote fromthe hook is shaped to form a gripping means-for the device which means lie in the plane formed by the stem and the bent arms'of the hook.

Whilst the divergence or taper between the two arms may be spread between the two arms, that is, 'both'arms being disposedat an angle slightly greater than a right angle to the stem but in opposite directions or the inner arm greater and the outer arm less than a right angle from the stem so that the acute angle therebetwe'en is bisected by a 'line at right angles to the stem, it has been found that to ensure optimum efliciency'of the device in operation, the'taper should be located solely in the inner arm, that is, the arm adjacent to the stem of the device should be disposed at an obtuse angle slightly greater than a right angle to said stem,the othe,r or outer arm. being disposed in a direction at right angles to the stem. of the taper should preferably be 12 but some tolerance in either direction will permit reasonably efficient operation of the device.

The wire employed in the construction'of th 11 Claims. (Cl. 131-245) device should be substantially rigid, that is,'the

rigidity should be such that the arms do not collapse oropen out when the device is pulled in order to remove the cleaner it is gripping from the'pipe bowl. In this connection it has been found that with a wire of circular crosssection the thickness should be at least 0.032

inch. The material must also, of course, bed a stiffness which will not cause the arms-tocollapse. Copper wire, for example, would not be suitable and with the cost factor in mindan unannealed mild steel wire is preferably em,- ployed. i T1 The inner radius of curvature of the elbow between the arms should be, as stated, less than 0.032 inch and preferably'-is-0.02v inch." As already indicated, the ou'ter arm must -overhang or extend beyond the inner armin a direction transverse to that of the mainv stem. It has been found that the amount of overhang should not be more than 0.05 inch, the preferredrange being 0.05 to 0.02 inch. The distance iromthe inner part ofthe elbow'to the lower part of the main stemmay'vary between 015 and 0.20 inch.

If this dimension varies to any substantial extent irom' the aforementioned range it renders operation of. the device very uncertain; v

One embodiment'of the device in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which 1 Figure'l is a view inlongitudinalelevation of one embodiment of adevice in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a cross-section along the. lines II-II of Figure 1, and I Figure 3 is a view in longitudinal elevation of an embodiment in which taper is spread be.- tween both arms.

The device consists of a length of mild steel wire having adiameter of 0.04 inch. At one end it is double cranked to form divergent arms H and 52, one of 'which,the remote arm I2, is' at rightangles tothe main stem l3, the other arm ll, that is, the inner arm, extending at an obtuse angle slightly greater than a right angle from the main stem the angle of divergence between the two arms being 12. The inner radius of curvature r at the elbow l0 between the two arms is 0.02 inch. The overhang of the outer arm, that is, the length as is 0.05 inch and the distance y is 0.20 inch. The endof the device remote from the divergent arms is .bent into circular form It, to provide means for gripping the device between the fingers. The diameter of this circle which is in the same plane as that of the hook is seven sixteenths of an inch. In the case of the device shown in Figure 1, a suitable length for the main stem would be 1.4 inches and the inner radius of curvature between the inner arm and main stem would be approximately 0.06 inch. Instead of being formed as a more or less complete circle as shown in Figure 1, the end of theewire; can be extended. to over.- lap as indicated at 14a in Figure 3.-

In Figure 3 is shown a modification in which both inner and outer arms are divergent. inner radius of curvature; will be; 0.02: inch. whilst the inner and outer arms are disposed at an angle of 6 to a line passingtransverselyb through the elbow l and at, right. angles tothestem. 7 7

To remove an ordinary wire-wool pipe cleaner which has been inserted in the-.mouth-- piece of a pipe and pushed through until a portiongextendsiinto the bowl-,oi thepipe; the device abovedescribed; is operated as. follows? The extractor device: is; inserted into thebowl with-1 the hook: lying; alongside the; projecting portion oftthe; pipe; cleaner. The device; is then twisteduntilitherhook is substantiallyat right angles: to: the; pipe cleaner whereupon. the; action of withdrawing the: extractor device causes it to grip the; cleaner; and. the; continued .withdrawing action: pulls: the cleaner, through. the sten'r. and out.v of: the: bowl; Both cleaner. and extractor device .may then; be thrown away.

It will be appreciated that the cost of devices in accordance with. this invention will; berelatively:- small; even: in; relation; to an. ordinary wire-wool? pipe. cleaner; and that suchdevices canrl be equally expendible with thewirepipe cleaners without: materially; altering the economics oar-manufacture and purchase of; clean:- er and cleaner extractor: device;v

i. A" device for. use in connection with the removal of an ordinary wire-wool: piper=v cleaner from a tobaccopipe which device consists of a length; of substantially rigid; wire. of: a; minimum thickness equivalent to.- at: least; 0.032 inch,- double cranked at one end to. form a substantially V-shaped-- hook: in: the longitudinal. plane ofithe main stem of wire, the angle'betweenthe; arms ofi'the V-shaped-hook being within thegranger '7 to 20, the inner radius of curvature atithe ellbow--betweenthe two arms being less than03032 inch, the arm' remote from-- the-stem of; Wire extending beyond the inner arm in-thedirection of the length-ofthe arms.

2. A device for use in connection with the removal of anordinary wire-Woolf pipe cleaner from a tobacco pipe which deviceconsists of: a length of substantially rigid wire of! at stiffness similar-to unannealed steel wire ofa; minimum thickness equivalent to at least. 0.032 inch; double-cranked'at one end to formza. substantially v-shaped hookin the longitudinal plane; of the main stemof wire, the other end. being; shaped to form a gripping means i for the device which grippingmeans he in. the common plane of; the Stem and the- V -shaped hook; the angle: between the arms of the V-shapedhook being within the range-7 to20; the inner radiusof curvature at the elbow between the two arms being less-than 0.032- inch, the arm remote from the stem of wire beingstraight and extending beyond the inner arm and steminthe direction of the length ofthe arms 7 3: A device for use in connection with the The removal of an ordinary wire-Wool pipe cleaner from a tobacco pipe which device consists of a length of substantially rigid wire of a hardness and stifiness similar to unannealed mild steel of a minimum thickness equivalent to at least 0.032 inch, double cranked at one end to form asub stantially V-shaped hook in the longitudinal plane of the main stem of wire, the arm of said hook adjacent the stem being bentzoutwardly and disposed at" an angle slightly greater than a. right angle to the stem, the outer arm being bent back in the plane of the first arm and stem andgdisposedsubstantiall at right angles to the stem, the angle between the arms of the V- shaped hook-being within the range 7 to 20, the ixmer radius: oi, curvature at the elbow between the-.twoarmsbeing less than 0.032 inch, the arm remote, from the stem of wire extending beyond the inner arm and stem in the direction of the length of the arms.

4 A device for use in"v connection with; the removal of: an; ordinary wire-wool; pipe: cleaner from a tobacco pipe which". deviceconsists of; a length of substantially rigid wire of.v a: thickness equivalent totatt leasti 0.032 inch; doubl'e cranked at one. end to .form. a substantially v-shaped hook inthe longitudinal plane ofithe main stem ofwire; theother. endibeing; shaped to form a grippingmeansfor the device which meansliein' the. common. plane of the-stem and the bent arms of the hook, the: arm. adjacent the stembeing disposed at: an obtuse; angle slightly: greater than a right angle; to. the; stem, the outer arm being-disposed at right. anglesto the-stem, the angle betweenrthearms of' the V- shaped hock'being within the-rangeltozofl the inner radiusof" curvature at the-elbow. between the-two arms-being- 'less' than 02032 inchrthe. arm remote from the stem of wire extending beyond the inner arm in the direction of the length of the arms.

5.- A device for use in connection with the removal of an ordinary wire-wool. pipe cleaner from a tobacco pipe which device consists ofia length of substantially rigid wire of the'mini mum thickness equivalent to at least 0.032 inch', double cranked at one end to form a substantiallyV-shaped hook in the longitudinal plane of themain-stemof wire, the angle between the arms-ofthe V-shaped hook being 12 the. inner' radius ofcurvature at the elbow'betweenthe two arms being less than 0.03-2inch, the2armre motefrom the stem of Wireextending beyond the inner arm in the direction of the lengthof the arms;

6; A device for use in connection with the removal of' an ordinary: wire-wooL pipe cleaner from a tobacco pipe which deviceconsists ofla lengthiof substantially rigid wireofxa. minimum thickness equivalent to; at'least. 0.032inch; double cranked at: one. end to form asubstantially V-shaped hook in the longitudinalplane: of: the main. stem. of wire with the arm of said hook adjacent: the stem bent on. an. arc outwardly with a, straight portion at an; angle slightly greater thana right angle; to the stem and-bent back at: anzacute angleto the first armto form an outer rectilinear; armextending" beyond: the inner'armand. stem and in the samev plane-therewith, the, other end being loop shaped tojform a gripping means for; the. device which gripping means lie in the=common plane; of the stemyand the V-shapedhook, the angle between the: arms of the V-shaped hook being 12?, the inner radius of curvature at theelbow between the two; arms being less than 0.032 inch, the arm remote from the stem of wire extending beyond the inner arm in the direction of the length of the arms.

7. A device for use in connection with the removal of an ordinary wire-wool pipe cleaner from a tobacco pipe which device consists of a length of substantially rigid wire of a minimum thickness equivalent to at least 0.032 inch, double cranked at one end to form a substantially V-shaped hook in the longitudinal plane of the main stem of wire, the other end being shaped to form a gripping means for the device which gripping means lie in the common plane of the stem and the bent arms of the hook, the arm adjacent the stem being disposed at an angle other than'a right angle to the stem, the outer arm being disposed at right angles to the stem, the angle between the arms of the V-shaped hook being 12, the inner radius of curvature at the elbow between the two arms being less than 0.032 inch, the arm remote from the stem of wire extending beyond the inner arm in the direction of the length of the arms.

8. A device for use in connection with the removal .of an ordinary wire-wool pipe cleaner from a tobacco pipe which device consists of a length of substantially rigid wire of a minimum thickness equivalent to at least 0.032 inch, double cranked at one end to form a substantially V-shaped hook in the longitudinal plane of the main stem of wire, the other end being shaped to form a gripping means for the device which gripping means lie in the common plane of the stem and the bent arms of the hook, the arm adjacent the stem being disposed at an angle other than a rightangle to the stem, the outer arm being disposed at right angles to the stem, the angle between the arms of the vshaped hook being within the range 7 to 20, the inner radius of curvature at the elbow between the two arms being less than 0.032 inch, the arm remote from the stem of wire extending for a distance from 0.02 inch to 0.05 inch beyond the inner arm in the direction of the length of the arms.

9. A device for use in connection with the removal of an ordinary wire-wool pipe cleaner from a tobacco pipe which device consists of a length of substantially rigid wire of a minimum thickness equivalent to at least 0.032 inch, double cranked at one end to form a substantially V-shaped hook in the longitudinal plane of the main stem of wire, the other end being shaped to form a gripping means for the device which gripping means lie in the common plane of the stem and the bent arms of the hook, the arm adjacent the stem being disposed at an angle other than a right angle to the stem, the outer arm being disposed at right angles to the stem, the angle between the arms of the V-shaped hook being 12, the inner radius of curvature at the elbow between the two arms being less than 0.032 inch, the arm remote from the stem of wire extending for a distance of from 0.02 inch to 0.05 inch beyond the inner arm in the direction of the length of the arms.

10. A device for use in connection with the removal of an ordinary wire-wool pipe cleaner from a tobacco pipe which device consists of a length of substantially rigid wire of a minimum thickness equivalent to at least 0.032 inch, double cranked at one end to form a substantially V-shaped hook in the longitudinal plane of the mainstem of Wire with the arm adjacent the stem curvedly bent outwardly to form a straight portion substantially at an obtuse angle to the stem and then curvedly bent back at an acute an le to form a straight outer arm substantially at right angles to the stem and extending beyond the inner arm and stem to form a slight overhang, theangle between the divergent arms of the V-shaped hook being within the range of 7 to 20 to guide the pipe cleaner into the crotch formed thereby and the arms of the hook being in such close proximity as to tightly grip the cleaner transversely when applied thereto and the cleaner and hook are relatively canted by pulling the stem to remove the cleaner from the pipe, the inner, radius of curvature at the elbow between the two arms being less than 0.032 inch, the arm'remote from the stem of wire extending for a distance of from 0.02 inch to 0.05 inch beyond the inner arm in the direction of the length of the arms.

11. A device for use in connection with the removal of an ordinary wire-wool pipe cleaner from a tobacco pipe which device consists of a length of substantially rigid wire of the minimum thickness equivalent to at least 0.032 inch, double cranked at one end to form a substantially V-shaped hook in the longitudinal plane of the main stem of wire with the wire bent outwardly substantially at an obtuse angle and then bent in the reverse direction inwardly so that a line bisecting the angle therebetween is at right angles to the stem, the angle between the arms of the V-shaped book being 12, the inner radius of curvature at the elbow between the two arms being less than 0.032 inch? the arm remote from the stem of wire extending at least to the far side of the stem to freely hook under the end of such a pipe cleaner where it extends into the bowl of a pipe from the stem So as to bend and grip said cleaner when pulled outward.

CHARLES WILFRED HEWITT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Dec. 4, 1945 

